'Questions: How do I get back at a client who did not pay for freelance work?' Writing Post your related message now.

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Ara from Mendota, Virginia (Contact Member) -

I've been working as an online freelancer for quite some time, and I've been working for a certain client who has always been quite late on payments. We've gotten along pretty well over the past months, but now she owes me $45 for a couple of articles I wrote. I've been sending her messages, IMs, but all to no avail. She will not respond to questions I've sent about when she will be sending payment. I am in the Philippines and she is in the US. Is there any legal action I can take despite the distance and the work situation I am in? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

• Resolved Question: How do I get back at a client who did not pay for freelance work?

Comment #1 Chris A. from Cavite, Philippines (Contact Member) -

"The Dangers of Having No Platform"

This is the dangers of the freelance industry. Even legitimate platforms like O-Desk have experienced some of these scenarios but I believe with such platforms this cases would be reduced.

What if your employer went on a vacation or undergone an operation? You should consider such variables to the equation. I think you shouldn't complain that much yet. A good suggestion would be to stop writing any pending jobs under her and wait until she finally responds.

Comment #2 Freelancer from Philippines (Contact Member) -

"Trust"

Legally, there isn't much you can do about it. The main investment a freelance writer invests when accepting an opportunity is trust. You need to trust your client that he will do the other half of the deal once you did your part. But one must put in mind that what you did is an indirect deal, an indirect transaction and that it may possibly fail.

The case stated above happens almost everyday, especially for freelancers who are commissioned to do projects by individuals and not by companies.

Clients from freelance service websites such as Odesk as stated by the previous poster as well as other ghost writing websites has a client profile page wherein you can find the possible client's previous transactions and satisfaction meter. You can use that as a form of preemptive measure to avoid being scammed.

There is a lesson to learn from this incident that you can use for your future transactions.

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